EU Mulls Free Trade With Russia

Jose Manuel Barroso (file photo) (epa) July 3, 2006 -- The European Commission says it wants to seek a closer relationship with Russia that could lead to a free-trade area comprising Russia and the EU once Russia joins the World Trade Organization. --> http://www.rferl.org/features/features_Article.aspx?m=06&y=2006&id=B3C864C2-9CD5-4816-8472-E5A6CDB42041

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU's executive arm will seek a mandate to conclude a "comprehensive" agreement with Russia that would lead toward a "free trade area to be completed when Russia accedes to WTO."

(AP)

WTO Status Of RFE/RL Broadcast Countries

An exhibition of the history of the WTO in Singapore in 1996 (courtesy photo)

WTO Members:
Armenia: Joined on 5 February 2003.
Croatia: Joined on 30 November 2000.
Georgia: Joined on 14 June 2000.
Kyrgyzstan: Joined on 20 December 1998.
Macedonia: Joined on 4 April 2003.
Moldova: Joined on 26 July 2001.
Romania: Joined on 1 January 1995.

Countries That Are Not Yet WTO Members:
Afghanistan: Submitted its application in November 2004.
Azerbaijan: Submitted its application in June 1997.
Bosnia-Herezgovina: Submitted its application in May 1999.
Belarus: Submitted its application in September 1993.
Iran: Submitted its application in July 1996.
Iraq: Submitted its application in September 2004.
Kazakhstan: Submitted its application in January 1996.
Russia: Submitted its application in June 1993.
Serbia and Montenegro: Submitted separate applications in December 2004.
Tajikistan: Submitted its application in May 2001.
Ukraine: Submitted its application in November 1993.
Uzbekistan: Submitted its application in December 1994.

For more information, click here.

For an exclusive RFE/RL interview with former WTO head MICHAEL MOORE,click here.